Advertisement

Geoheritage

pp 1–22 | Cite as

A Contribution to the Understanding of the Apennine Landscapes: the Potential Role of Molise Geosites

  • Francesca Filocamo
  • Carmen Maria RosskopfEmail author
  • Vincenzo Amato
Original Article
First Online:
Part of the following topical collections:
  1. Geoheritage: the foundation for sustainable geotourism

Abstract

The paper deals with the contribution of the Molise geoheritage to make better known the central-southern Apennines landscape and to promote geotourism activities. The Molise territory is characterized by a high geodiversity and the natural coexistence and closeness of three major, highly differentiated Apennine landscape units. It offers an exemplary cross-section of the variety of landscapes/landforms that typically characterize the young, tectonically still active Apennine chain, from its core up to the Adriatic piedmont area. Based on the regional geosite inventory, we selected 31 geosites. These geosites are considered the most representative and exemplary of many of the major landforms that typically characterize the distinguished Apennine landscape sectors and are capable to illustrate several steps of their long-term evolution and/or present-day dynamics and related hazard aspects. The selected geosites are well-preserved landforms, easily and safely accessible, and observable both onsite and/or through panoramic views. They have good to excellent scenic-esthetic qualities and, thanks to the representativeness and clarity of exposed features/processes, can be easily understood by a large audience. The paper highlights the contribution that the geological heritage of a territory can provide for geotourism purposes and informal educational actions by using geosites, especially geomorphological sites, to make known the peculiarities, evolution, and present-day dynamics of its major landscape features. It wants to contribute to the dissemination and sustainable fruition of geosites that help attributing to them an effective cultural and economic value, so to encourage their conservation.

Keywords

Geoheritage Landscape Long-term geomorphological evolution Present-day morphodynamics Geotourism Central-southern Apennines 
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Notes

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the two anonymous reviewers for their careful reading and suggestions that have contributed to improve the manuscript.

References

  1. Amato V, Aucelli PPC, Cesarano M, Pappone G, Rosskopf CM, Russo Ermolli E (2011) The Sessano intra-mountain basin: new multi-proxy data for the Quaternary evolution of the Molise sector of the central-southern Apennines (Italy). Geomorphology 128(1–2):15–31.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2010.12.019 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  2. Amato V, Aucelli PPC, Ermolli E.R, Rosskopf CM, Cesarano M, Pappone G (2012) Quaternary morpho-evolution, tectonic and environmental changes in the Boiano intermontane basin (Central-Southern Italy). Rend online Soc Geol It 21(2):1225–1227Google Scholar
  3. Amato V, Aucelli PPC, Bracone V, Cesarano M, Rosskopf CM (2017) Long-term landscape evolution of the Molise sector of the central-southern Apennines Italy. Geol Carpath 68(1):29–42Google Scholar
  4. Amorosi A, Bracone V, Di Donato V, Rosskopf CM, Aucelli PPC (2009) The Plio-Pleistocene succession between Trigno and Fortore rivers (Molise and Apulia Apennines): stratigraphy and facies characteristics. GeoActa 8:1–12Google Scholar
  5. Ascione A, Cinque A (1997) Le scarpate su faglia dell’Appennino meridionale: genesi, età e significato tettonica. Il Quaternario 10(2):285–292Google Scholar
  6. Ascione A, Cinque A, Miccadei E, Villani F (2008) The Plio-Quaternary uplift of the Apennines chain: new data from the analysis of topography and river valleys in Central Italy. Geomorphology 102:105–118Google Scholar
  7. Aucelli PPC, Amato V, Cesarano M, Pappone G, Rosskopf C, Russo Ermolli E, Scarciglia F (2011) New morphostratigraphic and chronological constraints for the Quaternary palaeosurfaces of the Molise Apennines (southern Italy). Geol Carpath 62(1):17–26.  https://doi.org/10.2478/v10096-011-0002-2 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  8. Aucelli PPC, Cesarano M, Di Paola G, Filocamo F, Rosskopf CM (2013) Geomorphological map of the central sector of the Matese Mountains (Southern Italy): an example of complex landscape evolution in a Mediterranean mountain environment. J Maps 9(4):604–616.  https://doi.org/10.1080/17445647.2013.840054 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  9. Aucelli PPC, Cinque A, Rosskopf CM (2001) Geomorphological map of the Trigno basin (Italy): explanatory notes. Geogr Fis Din Quat 24(1):3–12Google Scholar
  10. Aucelli PPC, Faillace PI, Rosskopf CM (2009) Evoluzione geomorfologica del tratto finale del fondovalle del fiume Biferno (Molise) dal 1800 ad oggi. Boll Soc Geol Ital 87(2):367–378Google Scholar
  11. Benn DI, Evans DJA (2010) Glaciers and glaciation. Hodder Education, LondonGoogle Scholar
  12. Bollati I, Coratza P, Panizza V, Pelfini M (2018) Lithological and structural control on Italian mountain geoheritage: opportunities for tourism, outdoors and educational activities. Quaestiones Geographicae 37(3):53–73Google Scholar
  13. Bonacci O (2013) Poljes, Ponors and their catchments. In: Shroder JF (ed) Treatise on geomorphology 6, karst geomorphology. Academic Press, San Diego, pp 112–120Google Scholar
  14. Borgomeo E, Hebditch KV, Whittaker AC, Lonergan L (2014) Characterising the spatial distribution, frequency and geomorphic controls on landslide occurrence, Molise, Italy. Geomorphology 226:148–161Google Scholar
  15. Bracone V, Amorosi A, Aucelli PPC, Rosskopf CM, Scarciglia, Di Donato V, Esposito P (2012) The Pleistocene tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Apenninic foreland basin between Trigno and Fortore rivers (southern Italy) through a sequence-stratigraphic perspective. Basin Res 24(2):213–233Google Scholar
  16. Brancaccio L, Cinque A, Sgrosso I (1979) Forma e genesi di alcuni versanti di faglia in rocce carbonati che: il riscontro naturale di un modello teorico. Rend Acc Sc Fis e Matem Napoli 4:16–21Google Scholar
  17. Brancaccio L, Di Crescenzo G, Rosskopf C, Santangelo N, Scarciglia F (2000) Carta geologica dei depositi quaternari e Carta geomorfologica dell’alta valle del F. Volturno (Molise, Italia Meridionale): note illustrative. Il Quaternario 13(1/2):81–94Google Scholar
  18. Brilha J (2016) Inventory and quantitative assessment of geosites and geodiversity sites: a review. Geoheritage 8(2):119–134Google Scholar
  19. Brilha J (2018) Geoheritage: inventories and evaluation. In: Reynard E, Brilha J (eds) Geoheritage: assessment, protection and management. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 69–86Google Scholar
  20. Bruschi VM, Cendrero A (2005) Geosite evaluation; can we measure intangible values? II Quaternario 18(1):293–306Google Scholar
  21. Bruschi VM, Cendrero A, Albertos JAC (2011) A statistical approach to the validation and optimisation of geoheritage assessment procedures. Geoheritage 3(3):131–149Google Scholar
  22. Calcaterra D, Guida D, Budetta P, De Vita P, Di Martire D, Aloia A (2014) Moving geosites: how landslides can become focal points in Geoparks. In: Viccione G, Guarnaccia C (eds) Latest trends in engineering mechanics, structures, engineering geology, Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Engineering Mechanics, Structures, Engineering Geology (EMESEG 14) Salerno, Italy June 3–5, 2014, pp 162–171Google Scholar
  23. Cappadonia C, Coratza P, Agnesi V, Soldati M (2018) Malta and Sicily joined by geoheritage enhancement and geotourism within the framework of land management and development. Geosciences 8(7):253.  https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences8070253 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  24. Cinque A, Liccardo C, Palma B, Pappalardo L, Rosskopf C, Sepe C (1990) Le tracce glaciali nel Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo (Appennino centrale): nota preliminare. Geog Fis Dinam Quat 13:121–133Google Scholar
  25. Coratza P, Giusti C (2005) Methodological proposal for the assessment of the scientific quality of geomorphosites. II Quaternario 18(1):307–313Google Scholar
  26. Coratza P, De Waele J (2012) Geomorphosites and natural hazards: teaching the importance of geomorphology in society. Geoheritage 4:195–203.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-012-0058-0 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  27. Coratza P, Bruschi V, Piacentini D, Saliba D, Soldati M (2011) Recognition and assessment of Geomorphosites in Malta at the Il-Majjistral Natural and History Park. Geoheritage 3:175–185Google Scholar
  28. Corbi I, De Vita P, Guida D, Guida M, Lanzara R, Vallario A (1999) Mid-term geomorphological evolution of the Covatta Valley, Biferno River Basin, Molise, Italy. Geogr Fis Dinam Quat 22:115–128Google Scholar
  29. Corrado S, Di Bucci D, Naso G, Butler HWR (1997) Thrusting and strike-slip tectonics in the Alto Molise region (Italy): implications to the Neogene-Quaternary evolution of the central Apennines orogenic system. J Geol Soc Lond 154:679–688Google Scholar
  30. Di Bucci D (1995) Rapporti tra piattaforme carbonatiche e “alloctono” lungo la media valle del Sangro. Boll Soc Geol It 114:443–463Google Scholar
  31. Di Bucci D, Corrado S, Naso G, Parotto M, Praturlon A (1999) Evoluzione tettonica neogenico-quaternariadell’area molisana. Boll Soc Geol Ital 118:13–30Google Scholar
  32. Di Luzio E, Paniccia D, Pitzianti P, Sansonne P, Tozzi M (1999) Evoluzione tettonica dell’Alto Molise. Boll Soc Geol Ital 118:287–315Google Scholar
  33. Fassoulas C, Mouriki D, Dimitriou-Nikolakis P, Iliopoulos G (2012) Quantitative assessment of geotopes as an effective tool for geoheritage management. Geoheritage 4(3):177–193Google Scholar
  34. Fattori C, Mancinella D (2010) La conservazione del Patrimonio Geologico del Lazio, Materiali, modelli, esperienze. Edizioni ARP-Agenzia Regionale Parchi, RomaGoogle Scholar
  35. Festa G, Ghisetti F, Vezzani L (2006) Carta geologica del Molise scala 1:100.000 - Note illustrative, Litografia Geda, Nichelino (To)Google Scholar
  36. Ferrarini F, Boncio P, de Nardis R, Pappone G, Cesarano M, Aucelli P, Lavecchia G (2017) Segmentation pattern and structural complexities in seismogenic extensionalsettings: the North Matese Fault System (Central Italy). J Struct Geol 95:93–112Google Scholar
  37. Filocamo F, Maglieri C, Rosskopf CM, Baranello S, Giannantonio O, MonacoR, Relvini M, Iarossi M (2011) Il censimento e la valorizzazione dei geositi: l’esperienza molisana. In: Bentivenga M (ed) Atti del Convegno Nazionale Il Patrimonio Geologico: una risorsa da proteggere e valorizzare, 29 e 30 aprile 2010, Sasso di Castalda, Potenza. Geologia dell’Ambiente Supplemento al n 2/2011:135–143Google Scholar
  38. Filocamo F, Amato V, Rosskopf CM (2014) L’itinerario “Le Mainarde - Alto Volturno”: un percorso geoturistico alla scoperta della geologia del settore molisano del Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise. Mem Descr Carta Geol d’It 102:131–144Google Scholar
  39. Filocamo F, Rosskopf CM, Amato V, Cesarano M, Di Paola G (2015) The integrated exploitation of the geological heritage: a proposal of geotourist itineraries in the Alto Molise area (Italy). Rend Online Soc Geol It 33:44–47Google Scholar
  40. Fiorillo F (2003) Geological features and landslide mechanisms of an unstable coastal slope (Petacciato, Italy). Eng Geol 67(3–4):255–267Google Scholar
  41. Fredi P, Lupia Palmieri E (2017) Morphological regions of Italy. In: Soldati M, Marchetti M (eds) Landscapes and landforms of Italy. Springer International Publishing, pp 39–76Google Scholar
  42. Fubelli G, Dramis F (2018) Tectonically induced deep-seated gravitational slope deformations and large landslides in the Central Adriatic coastal belt (Southern Marche-Abruzzi, Italy). J Ecol & Nat Resour 2(3):1–6Google Scholar
  43. Gallart F, Solé A, Puigdefàbregas J, Lázaro R (2002) Badland system in the Mediterranean. In: Bull LJ, Kirkby MJ (eds) Dryland rivers: hydrology and geomorphology of semi-arid channels. John Wiley & Sons, Chichester pp. 299–326Google Scholar
  44. Galli P, Galadini F (2003) Disruptive earthquakes revealed by faulted archaeological relics in Samnium (Molise, Southern Italy). Geophysical Research Letters 30(5) 1266:70–1–70-4Google Scholar
  45. Galli P, Galadini F, Capini S (2002) Analisi archeosismologiche nel santuario di Ercole di Campochiaro (Matese). Evidenze di un terremoto distruttivo sconosciuto ed implicazioni sismotettoniche. Il Quaternario 15(2):151–163Google Scholar
  46. Galli P, Giaccio B, Messina P, Peronace E, Amato V, Naso G, Nomade S, Pereira A, Piscitelli S, Bellanova J, Billi A, Blamart D, Galderisi A, Giocoli A, Stabile T, Thil F (2017) The Middle to Late Pleistocene activity of the northern Matese fault system (southern Apennines, Italy). Tectonophysics 699:61–81Google Scholar
  47. Giraudi C (1999) Datazione diretta e correlazione di depositi glaciali con l’uso di tephra e loess: il caso del Matese (Campania-Molise). Il Quaternario12(1):11–16Google Scholar
  48. Giraudi C, Zanchetta G, Sulpizio R (2013) A Late-Pleistocene phase of Saharan dust deposition in the high Apennine mountains (Italy). Alpine and Mediterranean Quaternary 26(2):110–122Google Scholar
  49. Gordon JE (2018) Geoheritage, geotourism and the cultural landscape: enhancing the visitor experience and promoting geoconservation. Geosciences 8(4):136Google Scholar
  50. Gray M (2004) Geodiversity: valuing and conserving abiotic nature. Wiley, ChichesterGoogle Scholar
  51. Guerricchio A, Melidoro G, Simeone V (1996) Le grandi frane di Petacciato sul versante costiero adriatico (Molise). Mem Soc Geol Ital 51(2):607–632Google Scholar
  52. Guerrieri L, Scarascia Mugnozza G, Vittori E (1999) Analisi stratigrafica e geomorfologica della conoide tardo-quaternaria di Campochiaro ed implicazioni per la conca di Boiano in Molise. Il Quaternario 12(2):237–247Google Scholar
  53. Kozlowski S (2004) Geodiversity. The concept and scope of geodiversity. Polish Geological Review (Przeglad Geologiczny) 52(8/2):833–839Google Scholar
  54. Moretti S, Rodolfi G (2000) A typical “calanchi” landscape on the Eastern Apennine margin (Atri, Central Italy): geomorphological features and evolution. Catena 40:217–228Google Scholar
  55. Palmentola G, Acquafredda P (1983) Gli effetti dei ghiacciai quaternari sulla montagna del Matese, al confine molisano-campano. Geogr Fis Din Quat 6:117–130Google Scholar
  56. Panizza M (2009) The geomorphodiversity of the Dolomites (Italy): a key of geoheritage assessment. Geoheritage 1:33–42Google Scholar
  57. Pappone G, Aucelli PPC, Cesarano M, Putignano ML, Ruberti D (2013). Note Illustrative del Foglio 405 Campobasso della Carta Geologica d’Italia alla scala 1: 50.000. ISPRA, RomaGoogle Scholar
  58. Patacca E, Scandone P (2007) Geology of the Southern Apennines. Boll Soc Geol It (Ital J. Geosci) Spec Iss 7:75–120Google Scholar
  59. Patacca E, Scandone P, Bellatalla M, Perilli N, Santini U (1992) La zona di giunzione tra l’arco appenninico settentrionale e l’arco appenninico meridionale nell’Abruzzo e nel Molise. In: Tozzi M, Cavinato GP, Parotto M (eds) Studi preliminari all’acquisizione dati del profilo CROP 11 Civitavecchia-Vasto. Studi Geologici Camerti vol spec 1991/2:417–441Google Scholar
  60. Pelfini M, Bollati I, Pellegrini L, Zucali M (2016) Earth sciences on the field: educational applications for the comprehension of landscape evolution. Rend Online Soc Geol Ital 40:56–66Google Scholar
  61. Pereira P, Pereira DI (2010) Methodological guidelines for geomorphosite assessment. Geomorphol Relief Process Environ 2:215–222Google Scholar
  62. Pereira P, Pereira D, Caetano Alves MI (2007) Geomorphosite assessment in Montesinho Natural Park (Portugal). Geogr Helv 62(3):159–168Google Scholar
  63. Reynard E (2004) Geosites. In: Goudie AS (ed) Encyclopedia of geomorphology. Routledge, London, p 440Google Scholar
  64. Reynard E (2009) The assessment of geomorphosites. In: Reynard E, Coratza P, Regolini-Bissig G (eds) Geomorphosites. Pfeil Verlag, München, pp 63–71Google Scholar
  65. Reynard E, Fontana G, Kozlik L, Scapozza C (2007) A method for assessing “scientific” and “additional values” of geomorphosites. Geogr Helv 62(3):148–158Google Scholar
  66. Reynard E, Perret A, Bussard J, Grangier L, Martin S (2016) Integrated approach for the inventory and management of geomorphological heritage at the regional scale. Geoheritage 8:43–60Google Scholar
  67. Reynard E, Coratza P (2016) The importance of mountain geomorphosites for environmental education: examples from the Italian Dolomites and the Swiss Alps. Acta Geogr Slov 56(2):291–303Google Scholar
  68. Rosskopf CM, Aucelli PPC (2007) Analisi del dissesto da frana in Molise In: Rapporto sulle frane in Italia. Il Progetto IFFI – Metodologia, risultati e rapporti Regionali. APAT 78:493–508Google Scholar
  69. Rosskopf CM, Cesarano M, Filocamo F, Aucelli PPC, Brancaccio L, Pappone G (2016) 5 Molise. In: Calcaterra D, D’Argenio B, Pappone G, Petrosino P (eds) Guide Geologiche Regionali. Campania e Molise. Litografia Alcione, Lavis (Tn), pp 117–138Google Scholar
  70. Rosskopf CM, Di Paola G, Atkinson DE, Rodríguez G, Walker IJ (2017) Recent shoreline evolution and beach erosion along the central Adriatic coast of Italy: the case of Molise region. J Coast Conserv 2017:1–17.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-017-0550-4 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  71. Rosskopf CM, Di Paola G, Filocamo F (2014) Carta di Sintesi dei Geositi Molisani. Available at: http://www3.regione.molise.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/382. accessed November 2018
  72. Russo N, Del Prete S, Giulivo I, Santo A (2005) Grotte e speleologia della Campania. Elio Sellino Editore, AvellinoGoogle Scholar
  73. Russo Ermolli E, Aucelli PPC, Di Rollo A, Mattei M, Petrosino P, Porreca M, Rosskopf CM (2010) An integrated stratigraphical approach to the Middle Pleistocene succession of the Sessano Basin (Molise, Italy). Quat Int 225:114–127Google Scholar
  74. Russo F, Terribile F (1995) Osservazioni geomorfologiche, stratigrafiche e pedologiche sul Quaternario del Bacino di Bojano (Campobasso). Il Quaternario 8(1):239–254Google Scholar
  75. Scorpio V, Aucelli PPC, Giano SI, Pisano L, Robustelli G, Rosskopf CM, Schiattarella M (2015) River channel adjustments in Southern Italy over the past 150 years and implications for channel recovery. Geomorphology 251:77–90.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geomorph.2015.07.008 CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  76. Serrano E, Ruiz-Flaño P (2007) Geodiversity. A theoretical and applied concept. Geographica Helvetica 62(3):140–147Google Scholar
  77. Simeone V, Doglioni A, Guerricchio A (2011) Large landslide along the Adriatic coastline in Southern Italy. Geophys Res Abstr 13:EGU2011–EG13491Google Scholar
  78. Soldati M, Marchetti M (2017) Landscapes and landforms of Italy. Springer International PublishingGoogle Scholar
  79. Squinabol S (1903) Un excursion à Capracotta en Molise. Observations de géographie physique sur un territoire mal affermi. La Géographie, Bulletin de la Société de Géographie 8:1–12Google Scholar
  80. Stanley M (2004) Geodiversity-linking people, landscapes and their culture. In: Parkes M (ed) Natural and Cultural Landscapes-the Geological Foundation. Royal Irish Academy, Dublin, pp 45–52Google Scholar
  81. Vezzani L, Ghisetti F, & Festa A (2004) Carta geologica del Molise (scala 1:100.000). S.EL.CA., Firenze

Copyright information

© The European Association for Conservation of the Geological Heritage 2019

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Dipartimento di Bioscienze e TerritorioUniversità degli Studi del MolisePesche (IS)Italy

Personalised recommendations

Cite article

Buy options